Kentucky drug panel gets new members

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear appointed five new members to the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council on Monday and reappointed the current chairman and two other members.

The drug council is an offshoot of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission that develops recommendations for the commission on medication and drug-testing policies. The council has been integral in formulating the significant changes to the state's drug regulations over the past three years.

The new appointments are: Hollie I. Swanson, a pharmacology professor at the University of Kentucky; W.B. Rogers Beasley, the director of racing at Keeneland; Frank Dwayne Marcum, a private-practice veterinarian; Andrew M. Roberts, a private-practice veterinarian; and John Cashman, the retired president of the Standardbred operation Castelton Farms.

The three members who were reappointed were Jerry L. Yon, the council's current chairman, who is a physician; Gary Lavin, a private-practice veterinarian who is also a horse breeder; and Rick Hiles, the Thoroughbred owner and trainer.

All of the members will serve terms expiring on Aug. 1, 2012, according to the governor's office.

* Also on Monday, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved a request by Churchill Downs to continue to offer the Super High Five wager during its fall race meet. In the wager, similar to a superfecta, a bettor must select the first five finishers in order in a race.